Minnesota Birding Report Friday, May 9
In general, the first half of May is the best time to view warblers in their full breeding plumage, with birders having an opportunity to view stunning indigo bunting, scarlet tanager and rose-breasted grosbeak. Towards the end of May, head to the prairies for a chance to view upland sandpiper, marbled godwit, bobolink and dickcissel.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On May 4, two White-Faced Ibis were found near Willmar in Kandiyohi County. To view these birds, begin at Willmar, and travel west on U.S. Highway 12 for two miles, just beyond County Road 5. Turn north on the gravel road for one mile to a "T" intersection. Turn right and check the north side of the road.
On May 3, an adult Mississippi Kite was found at the Bass Ponds area of Bloomington, in Hennepin County, but the bird was gone within minutes and has not been reported since.
A pair of Surf Scoters was seen on May 4 on Lake Pepin near Hok-Si-La Park, in Goodhue County.
On May 6, 20 Red-Throated Loons and a Little Gull were seen from Park Point in Duluth. The loons were seen from the Beach House at the Recreation Area, and the gull was found off 22nd Street.
On May 5, both a Clark’s Grebe and a Ross’s Goose were on Thielke Lake in Big Stone County. Both were observed from County Road 62, which runs along the south side of the lake.
A Short-Eared Owl was seen on May 3, roughly two hundred yards east of the junction of Aitkin County Roads 1 and 22, about three miles north of the town of Aitkin.
A Northern Mockingbird was seen on May 3 at the western boundary of Taopi in Mower County, along Highway 56. Another was in Duluth on the 4th, at 57th Avenue East and Juniata Street.
On May 8, a male Summer Tanager was seen foraging next to the road at Minneopa State Park in Blue Earth County. The bird was on the prairie side of State Highway 68. To view this bird, turn left at the first intersection and drive until you see a wet area that has dead oaks on either side of the road. Another Summer Tanager was in Sibley County, amongst the trees near the campground at Rush River County Park.
On May 4, a flock of eight Smith’s Longspurs was along Longspur Road of the Felton Prairie, near the town of Felton, in Clay County.
Just some the many returning migrants reported this past week include Ruddy Turnstone, Black Tern, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Swainson’s Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Grasshopper Sparrow, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Bobolink, and Orchard Oriole.
Information in this statewide birding report is provided by and financially supported by the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (MOU), Minnesota’s oldest and largest bird club. The report is composed from reports submitted by MOU members and other birders throughout the state. You can support this weekly birding update by submitting your bird reports to Anthony Hertzel at axhertzel@sihope.com or by calling the hotline directly at 763-780-8890 and leaving a detailed message. MOU members receive the organization’s quarterly journal "The Loon," and the bi-monthly magazine, "Minnesota Birding." For membership information, send an e-mail message to our membership secretary at moumembers@yahoo.com.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
